EnduroKA - Brands Hatch Indy 500

Driver: Katy Shipp

Venue: Brands Hatch

Saturdays briefing started with a rule enforcement from Motorsport UK that "there is no such thing as a racing line" which clarified it is not acceptable to drive into other cars when cornering, then claim they were on your line. It was later suggested this might be related to people copying a certain successful racer that rhymes with 'Sax'.

Qualifying started in the evening to ensure all drivers had experience of driving under darkness before race day. Conditions were damp and somewhat greasy. Katie headed out in car #44 run by Graves Motorsport with slight antripidation given the conditions but hopeful for some good times given the recent change of gearbox. Lack of experience meant trying to push the car too hard too soon, which led to a spin on Graham Hill bend, leaving the car on the tarmac but facing the oncoming traffic.

With more than 35 cars on track, it was difficult to get a clear lap in so the best time was in the 1:10's region, with race pace being 1:05.The second driver headed out and came back not long after saying the car lost all power on the final corner and had to be pushed down the pit lane.

The team were all hands on deck as a faulty fuel pump was identified and moments later the fuel tank had been removed from the car for a replacement to be made. This was completed 3 minutes before the end of qualifying, so the remaining team drivers had to make their time in another teams spare car.

Racing started the following morning which was a rare blue sky Autumnal opener at Brands, with no clouds expected all day. Exactly the conditions you hope for!

Car #44 the 'KAgermeister' was raring to go with the new fuel pump in play and new tyres with just ten laps mileage.

We'd qualified right at the back which meant the strategy was very much 'consistency is key'. A good start and lack of safety car deployments meant the first driver got into a good rhythm setting solid lap times and attacking the cars ahead. 

Our strategy was falling into place as competitors started dropping off, either with mechanical issues or a desire to explore the greenery beyond the kerbs. Our car be tired slightly further over the kerbs than allowed, meaning we picked up two track limits warnings in the first stint.

Initial pace was good, sticking around the 1:06's mark with a number of 1:05's laps in the bag. A the two hour mark we had a change of driver and refuelling, we were now up to P22 of 33 starters.

The following two hours saw car #44 being caught up in big trains of cars, being frequently bunched up by the safety car coming out to rescue beached drivers from the grass. 

The next change of driver put myself in the seat, but only after the careful positioning of my two booster cushions to ensure reach of both the pedals and gearstick. It's surprisingly different once a race seat is fitted, especially when you are vertically challenged.

I was able to get us back to the 1:06's and 1:05's lap times, including a cheeky overtake which was hugely beneficial to the confidence levels. We are now 4 hours into this 8 hour race so some tyres were beginning to wear and also some drivers. My stint had it's fair share of safety car laps including seeing our sister team 'Ka Doodle Doo' in the gravel at Paddock which required the deployment of every vehicle with a flashing light to attend. Thankfully the driver was fine, but their car was not. I added another track limits warning to our list, costing us a drive through penalty. My stint came to an abrupt end with a last second 'box, box' announcement whilst kangarooing around Clearways, having realised the fuel tank was empty. I'd completed another two hours of racing and we were in P20.

The final driver took the wheel just as the sun was setting and with another full tank of fuel. Track temperature was starting to drop and at that point the coloured LEDs wrapped on doors and roofs were lighting up. The KA series is a fun approach to racing so the creativity with lighting is encouraged.

The last stint was very, very dark and due to a retirement and some rather hefty penalties being dished out, we climbed to P18 before taking the chequered flag, having completed over 8 hours of racing.

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend and we can't wait for the 2025 season!